Τυροκαφτερι (Greek Spicy Cheese Dip)

~ Tyrokafreri (Greek Spicy Cheese Dip) is a very popular dip in Greece form north to south.
~ Traveling from place to place, island to island one can find many variations in the recipe and the ingredients that are being used to make Tyrokafteri.
~ Feta cheese, Hot peppers and Olive oil are the main ingredient for making Tyrokafteri.
~ In some places people mix Cream cheese, Anthotyro, Greek Strain Yogurt, Xynomyzithra even Ricotta Cheese with the Feta cheese to make it a little bit creamier and cut the saltiness a bit of the Feta cheese.
~ At the same time, other people use Jalapeno peppers, Chilli pepper flakes, Cayenne pepper, Peperoncini, Garlic, Green or Red hot peppers and even Tabasco sauce to give it a little bit more tanginess to the taste.
~ In other cases the peppers are being sautéed and then added to the mixture.
~ The ingredients and the amount will depend on how much you would like to make and how simpler you want to make it.
~ For the purpose of giving some way of making Tyrokafteri, I add some garlic (Good for the heart) and some Greek strain yogurt to make it creamier.
~ As I mention above, you can try any variation you like and use any ingredients that are available to you.
~ You can make it as hot or as mild as you wish using hot or mild peppers.
~ In any situation the process of making Tyrokafteri is the same.

~ Wash the peppers, remove the stalk and the seeds and cut them in two.
~ Place the peppers and garlic into the bowl of a food processor and pulse until fairly smooth.
~ Add the feta cheese cut in small pieces and some olive oil and pulse to purify and mix with the peppers and garlic.
~ Add the strain yogurt to mix with the feta cheese and the rest of the ingredients.
~ If the mixture is hard, slowly add some olive oil in a stream and pulse until all the oil is absorbed and you reach the desired consistency (not all the oil may needed) of a smooth and soft mixture.
~ Adjust seasonings as necessary (it should be spicy).
~ Add a pinch of freshly ground pepper (optional) and mix.
~ Once you get the desired consistency and desired spiciness remove from the food processor, place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
~ Refrigerate for at least one hour and then serve with your choice of crusty bread, pita triangles or crackers.
~ Serve garnished with some parsley and a sprinkle of paprika.
~ This recipe works with red and green peppers. Mild or hot, this is a delicious dip.
~ This is traditionally a spicy cheese dish, which can be served as a meze (appetizer) with ouzo or beer, or as a dip with raw vegetables or as bread spread.
~ Good luck and enjoy.